Shapeshifting: Shamanic Techniques for Global and Personal Transformation

by John Perkins

After 'Hit Man'

The New York Times bestseller Confessions of an Economic Hit Man documents John Perkins’ extraordinary career as a globe-trotting economic hit man. Perkins’ insider’s view leads him to crisis of conscience--to the realization that he must devote himself to work which will foster a world-wide awareness of the sanctity of indigenous peoples, their cultures, and their environments. Perkins’ books demonstrate how the age-old shamanic techniques of some of the world’s most primitive peoples have sparked a revolution in modern concepts about healing, the subconscious, and the powers each of us has to alter individual and communal reality.

Many indigenous cultures practice shapeshifting. Native American hunters take on the spirit of their prey to ensure a successful hunt; Asian medicine men “ingest” a sickness to heal the one afflicted; Amazon warriors become jaguars to soundlessly travel the jungle. Those who shapeshift understand that all of life is energy and that by focusing your intent you can change energetic patterns, rendering a new form. Shapeshifting can occur on three levels: cellular--transforming from human to plant or animal; personal--becoming a new self or leaving an addiction behind; and institutional--creating a new business or cultural identity.

Since 1968, master shamans in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas have been training John Perkins to teach the industrial world about the powerful techniques involved in shapeshifting. His groundbreaking book takes you to deserts and jungles, mountains and oceans, medical research centers and corporate board rooms to learn the step-by-step methods of this practice that integrates ancient and modern techniques to bring about profound healing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Psychology, Magic, Metaphysics, Memoir, Anthropology

172 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 1997

About the author

John Perkins is an activist and author. As a former chief economist at Boston strategic-consulting firm Chas. T. Main, Perkins says that he was an "economic hit man" for 10 years, helping U.S. intelligence agencies and multinational corporations cajole and blackmail foreign leaders into serving U.S. foreign policy and awarding lucrative contracts to American business.

However, after several years struggling internally over the role he was playing in crippling foreign economies, he quit his consulting job. In the 1980s Perkins founded and directed a successful independent energy company, which he subsequently sold. Since then he has been heavily involved with non-profit organizations in Ecuador and around the world. He continues this work today, in addition to his writing.

His new book, Confessions of an Economic Hitman, 3rd Edition: China’s EHM Strategy; Ways to Stop the Global Takeover, a follow-up to international best-seller Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, will be released on February 28th, 2023.

Reviews

[Teresa]

Picked up this book after seeing "The End of Poverty" on Netflix streaming video. Perkins was one many people interviewed in this eye-opening film that I also highly recommend. Given my general dis-satisfaction with living in modern society yet also having to function within it I am hoping to get some direction on reconciliation.

[Melissa Kelly]

I read this prior to attending a workshop on shapeshifting. I cannot shift at the cellular level before someones eyes into a plant or animal. however, I do feel that I have embraced the power of personal transformation.

[Tina]

I wasn't sure what to expect of this book before I began to read it but it's more of a memoir about shape shifting. There's no instruction here just stories.

[Stefen T.]

This is A book that was easy to read from the narritive being in the first and third person. He explians his travel through the indigous and ancient clutures of the incas, mayan, persiaand,and east africa with personal interest. Although there are distictive persona's he uses to discribe his jounrny he creates a background for the reader.
In the end he show the reader his interpation of shamanism with a ritual that was bestoed upon him entering a tribe.
Yes this a good book and i recomd it to other but it may not be what your looking for in the means that he is to vauge and will not exceed the interlines of his conclusion. The book aslo comes with a catalog of other interesting books.

[Swami Tirtha]

more about soul retrieval & shapeshifting; and gained a greater respect and awe for this type of shamanism

[Kathy]

Shapeshifting: Techniques for Global and Personal Transformation was not what I expected. I thought this book would be about shamanism. Instead the reader receives thoughts from a corporate worker who changed his perspective because of his travels and experiences.

Different, but still full of wisdom. It's one thing to want to do psychedelics or to dabble into spiritualism, and another to actually do those things. Perkins took his vision quests and made them a reality. He lives the way that is sustainable to the earth, but also to his family. He has managed to merge capitalism and ecology. In addition, all the money or ventures go back to the land and the Indigenous people that he works with. Now that is how you change the world. I hope more people can become like John Perkins.

[Przyczajony Ichneumon]

Good book

Entertaining book, well most of it. Do yourself a favour and skip Epilogue as it’s depressing... given what the initiatives described there turned into after 20+ years.

[Tara]

A lot of stories of the author's travels in South American jungles fill the majority of the book. Hand wringing about the impending sorry fate of the rain forests, the bad habits of people that drive it. Also there are numerous uses of the word "shapeshifting" whose meaning drifts into ambiguity for that it covers everything from cellular change to a shift in personal perspectives. The subtitle mentions techniques, but really only includes one clear description of a technique, and that is more of a visualization to "make dreams come true".
The back of the book has a good Suggested Reading list. Having completed this book, I would recommend the reading list and skip reading "Shapeshifting".

[Deb]

John Perkins is an intelligent writer with a sincere mission to help inform and educate the western world about the wisdom of the Indigenous people of South America. The liked the message of the book and the wisdom that was shared. There were times when I felt the writing was a bit simplistic, which is why I gave it a 4 instead of a 5. It is a very easy book to read and it does provide an interesting and thought provoking window into looking at the world from a different perspective.

[Rick Salmon]

John Perkins is a good storyteller. I loved his stories about living with the indigenous people of the Amazon. And I believe that these people have much to teach us in the west about how to live in greater harmony with and connection to nature. Shapeshifting is about empathy. It is about understanding and appreciating that all life forms are equally important. This is the 4th book by Perkins I have read.

[Psychedelic Illusions]

I really enjoyed this book. It was unconventional in its message and took the reader on a journey unlike any non-fiction book you'd ever read. I think that it really makes you question things, and leaves you a little confused, but for me i enjoyed not being able to fully understand what was happening because then i had to think about it.

[Sarah Martin]

An older book of John Perkins, detailing his experiences with teachers and Shamans in the Yucatan and elsewhere. Talks about the unity of all earth systems/beings, and the urgency of reawakening our connection. A good read!

[Nancy Kaiser]

Although this was written a number of years ago, it's message is very timely. John shares his amazing expereinces with the brilliant shamans around the globe. If you feel any connection to nature, this will be a great read for you.

[Steve Wiggins]

Some things are hard to believe, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth trying. A challenging book on a conceptual level. See more comments at: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.

[Revy]

Recommended to me by a woman at the bookstore I serve coffee at after her friend told her I'm going to Ecuador. This book was a wonderful journey. A lot of it was dialogue, which I think is the best way to express these kinds of ideas. Finished this book with lots of cool things to think about

[Roxana]

Wonderful and incredibly insightful!

[Liv]

one of my old favorites. Thanks JP i still dip in and out for inspiration

[Ellie]

Very good, especially for those working with Shamanic energies.